Guinea elections: Who’s running and what’s at stake?

Guinea elections: Who’s running and what’s at stake? Military ruler Mamady Doumbouya is set to legitimise his rule after barring key opposition challengers. Four years after military leader General Mamady Doumbouya led a coup that toppled the civilian government of the day and derailed the country’s fragile democracy, Guineans will head to the polls in a Sunday vote that will likely not deliver any surprises. The young military leader, known for his signature wraparound sunglasses, is widely expected to win the vote on December 28 and solidify his hold on power in the resource-rich West African nation, as key opposition figures have been barred from participating. Recommended Stories list of 4 items list 1 of 4 Has Benin’s foiled coup made ECOWAS a West African heavyweight once more? list 2 of 4 Sahel summit: What is the biggest challenge facing the region? list 3 of 4 Burkina Faso leader vows AES alliance crackdown on armed groups in Sahel list 4 of 4 Congolese see hopes for peace fade as M23 and army fight on in eastern DRC With a population of 15 million, Guinea holds one of the world’s largest deposits of iron ore and is the leading exporter of bauxite - a key component of aluminium. Doumbouya’s government is banking on its vast mines, especially the mega Simandou mine - one of the largest iron ore projects in the world, to create more jobs and revenue in the coming years. Diamond, gold and uranium deposits are also abundant in the country. Doumbouya has gained some support due to new policies that have boosted mining exports. However, the general’s detractors question his legitimacy, citing his previous pledge not to run in elections, as well as his various bans on protests and media. The 2021 coup destabilised Guinea’s democratic trajectory. After decades of coups and dictatorships, it was only in 2010 that Guineans voted in the first, truly free and fair elections since independence from France in 1958. The coup also caused suspensions from the African Union and sanctions from the regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc. Guinea’s capital is the coastal city of Conakry. Most Guineans practise Islam (85 percent), while others are Christians and animists (15 percent). The Fulani or Peul, Malinke and Soso are the largest ethnic groups, although there are more than two dozen ethnic groups. The country is known for being the source of the Niger River, which flows through several countries and empties into the Atlantic Ocean through Nigeria. How does voting work? About 6.7 million eligible voters (those over 18 years) are registered for the elections. There are 23,662 polling stations. The president will be elected by an absolute majority vote through a two-round system, for a seven-year term. A high turnout is expected based on the 87 percent of voters who turned up for a referendum held in September. That vote was largely seen as a test of Doumbouya’s popularity, and more than 90 percent voted “yes” to a new...

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